TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

'Doesn’t Care'

It's hardly surprising that Monsanto (now owned by Bayer) doesn’t care if its Roundup weedkiller kills more than just weeds.

But when the judge overseeing the trial of a cancer victim who is suing Monsanto says he believes Monsanto probably doesn't care about its victims, that's noteworthy. Especially when that same judge dissed the plaintiff’s attorney in front of the jurors—and also appears to have past ties to Monsanto.

. . . there is strong evidence from which a jury could conclude that Monsanto does not particularly care whether its product is in fact giving people cancer, focusing instead on manipulating public opinion and undermining anyone who raises genuine and legitimate concerns about the issue.

On March 12, both sides in the Edwin Hardeman vs. Monsanto case delivered closing arguments in San Francisco Federal Court. The jury could return its verdict any day now.

One potential solution? Agroforestry, a type of farming that incorporates native fruit- and nut-bearing trees into farms.

The folks behind the Million Hazelnut Campaign believe the best tree to plant in order to start regenerating the Midwest is the Hazelnut. A million hazelnut trees could go a long way toward cleaning up water pollution, restoring wildlife habitat mitigating global warming by drawing down and sequestering carbon.

SUPPORT OCA & CRL

Um, No.

"The health of the planet and the health of the people are one. . . Health, starting with the soil, to plants, animals and humans must be the organizing principle and the aim of agriculture, commerce, science, of our lives and of international trade.” – Vandana Shiva

Part of the work we do at OCA involves calling out corporations. For polluting the environment. For poisoning our food. For paying off elected officials to write regulations that put public health at risk. For intentionally misleading us, through false advertising and labeling claims.

It never ceases to amaze us how these corporations—led and staffed by real people, just like us—justify their bad behavior.

Whenever we try to engage with corporate executives who run large, corporate factory farms, we hear the same old story: "We’re feeding the world."

Um, no they aren’t. According to the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization, 70 percent of the world’s food is produced by smallholder farmers—and they produce that food on only 25 percent of the world’s land.

What these corporations are doing is feeding us a line of bull, while they “feed” their CEO salaries and big shareholders.

We can’t let these corporations continue to poison our environment with impunity. We just can’t. Because like it or not, our own health is directly related to the health of our soil, water, air—and of course, our food.

"The health of the planet and the health of the people are one."

We won’t stop confronting corporate factory farms. Until they stop their bad behavior. But we need your support. Thank you!

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

'Unbroken Ground'

The Regeneration Revolution, like all revolutions, must—and is—happening from the ground up. Literally, and figuratively.

This new film from Patagonia, now available in its entirety, tells the story of how we can fix our food system and solve the climate crisis, using organic regenerative agriculture and land-management practices:

Our food choices are deeply connected to climate change. “Unbroken Ground,” a compelling Patagonia Provisions film directed by Chris Malloy, explains the critical role food will play in the next frontier of our efforts to solve the environmental crisis.

This film is beautifully done, and well worth the time, But don’t take our word for it. Watch it!

NEW STUDY

The Kids Aren't Alright

Parents may think their kids are too involved with school, friends and activities to pay much attention to climate change. But many kids actually are worried about climate change, according to an article on the Green Living website. The article cited reports of children as young as 7 years old losing sleep over climate concerns.

Now, a new study published in Current Psychiatry Reports says concerns about global warming are putting children “at risk of mental health consequences including PTSD, depression, anxiety, phobias, sleep disorders, attachment disorders and substance abuse.”

Dr. Susie Burke, co-author of the study, titled “The Psychological Effects of Climate Change on Children,” told us in a recent interview:

“Children feel fear, anxiety, stress, and grief, as do many adults. Some believe that the world may end in their lifetimes. They will be living in a climate-altered world for longer than most adults. They are more dependent and vulnerable, and their views can be dismissed. They are not yet able to make laws that impact their future. That is why we see them stepping up and talking in front of the nation.”